Thought-Provoking Proportion Challenge Problems

By Jon OaksMay 14, 2011
I totally meant to share these problems a few weeks ago, but I wanted to try it out with my classes first.  However, I got so distracted with doing my Capture & Recapture Lab that we never got to the worksheet.  Yes, I did a Capture & Recapture lab for my Beginning Algebra Classes to help demonstrate how proportions might be used as part of a method of estimation.  Several students told me that without the lab, they wouldn't have really understood exactly why we even needed proportions.  That made me happy.  So, here we are after the semester has…
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New Slope Game

By Jon OaksApr 20, 2011
I hope you enjoy this game!  I would love to have any feedback if you decide to use it. Slope game Other Slope Resources Applets 1.  Interactive Slope Applet - Although I ran out of time to actually use this with my own class, this is a wonderful resource that lets students click and drag points such that when the line between the point changes, the calculation of the slope of the line also changes on the screen as well.  Very useful! 2.  Slope-Intercept Equation Applet - This appears to be the exact same applet I introduced to you a few weeks…
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Percent Increase and Decrease

By Jon OaksMar 27, 2011
Here's a sample lesson on Percent Increase and Decrease designed for a 52-minute Pre-Algebra class. 1.  Start by watching the video on 'Percent Increase'.  Make sure that students have the handout so that they don't have to write down the application problem. 2.  Have students work on the two 'Group Work' problems on percent increase. 3.  Follow the same process for 'Percent Decrease'. 4.  Have the students do the Percent Increase and Decrease 'Matching Activity'.  You need to have the tiles cut apart for them already.  If there is not enough time to complete this in class (There usually isn't),…
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This Calculus Game Needs a Sweet Name… Any Suggestions?

By Jon OaksMar 27, 2011
I just finished this new Calculus game in anticipation of teaching a lesson on The First Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.  I'm looking to give it a good name.  Any suggestions? Calculus Game.pdf Download this file Jing Video and notes to accompany my lesson: View on screencast.com » Intergal_Video.pdf Download this file Jing Video and notes for the Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: View on screencast.com » The_Second_Fundamental_Theorem_of_Calculus.pdf Download this file Group_Work_Problems.pdf Download this file
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Solving a System of Equations with Two Unknowns

By Jon OaksMar 25, 2011
A Sample Lesson on Solving a System of Equations with Two Unknowns Before you begin, you may want to print the summary sheet below for reference.  The sheet happens to have a major typo, but I think that it's usually fun for the students to discover it themselves. I've been generous enough to correct the typo. SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS Start out by watching this introductory video about solving an application problem using the addition method.  I recommend printing out the handout of what is covered in the video so that you can take notes as you follow along. View on screencast.com »…
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A Paper Idea for Learning to Plot Points

By Jon OaksFeb 07, 2011
First of all, congratulations to Maria Andersen for winning the Mindomo MindMap of the Week.  Now, let's document my journey over the next 30 minutes or so after I started hunting around the Play and Learn Mind Map.  And this is truly interesting, as it might show you exactly how I think sometimes. I started with the Play and Learn Mind Map, which led me to the Playing to Learn Math Mind Map (Also by Maria Andersen). I noticed that the Playing to Learn Math Mind Map (a work in progress) did not have any links to games about logarithms (although there…
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Math Games for Integers, Multiplication, and Combining Like Terms

By Jon OaksJan 23, 2011
I have some slightly under-prepared students semester, so I suggested to them that they should try to work on their basic skills outside of class.  However, this requires me to provide some recommended resources to them, and these are what I have discovered: Multiplication Factoris - Tetris-style game for multiplication facts. Penguin Jump - Fun Multiplication Game that can be played with up to 4 people from around the world. Dad's Worksheets - For those who just want the traditional worksheets to practice with. Combining Like Terms Combining Like Terms Quartet - This like terms game requires you to match the center term with its the appropriate…
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